I have also loved running from when I was a little boy, but I probably started my running journey back in 2015, when I competed in my first ever half marathon, The Potters Arf Marathon, with only a month of training and finished it in 1:51:59. This made me gain a passion for running and I decided to join a running club only a month after completing my first ever competitive race.
In 2019 I decided to transition from running on the road to running on a track and I competed at a Regional Competition at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham (before it was redeveloped for the 2022 Commonwealth Games) where I secured Gold Medals in both the 100m and 200m in my division. Something that I secured in front of my family including my birth mum and something I was so proud of.
But in January 2022, after doing a spin cycle class my running career came to an erupt end. I contracted what is known as Exercise Induced Rhabdomyolysis, where my Creatine Kinase levels reached a peak of 210,000 units by litre of blood. This was due to the spin cycle class destroying my thighs and releasing a dangerous amount of toxins through my body. I was told by consultants never to run again.
Just 4 months later my world turned upside down and my birth mum was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer, I was told that I would have at least 6 months with her, just 8 weeks later, on the 1st July 2022 my mum lost her battle to cancer. You see when I was just seven years old I was taken away from my birth mum and put into foster care and I stayed in care until I was 18. When I turned an adult I then started to build a relationship back up with my mum.
My mum was one of my biggest cheerleaders, she was there no matter what to cheer me on in my races, and when she died it destroyed me. Just one month after my mums death, I volunteered at 2022 Commonwealth Games (and ironically I was situated at The Alexander Stadium) and I dedicated my volunteering in memory of my mum.
In July 2024 I was given the all clear to run again from my hospital consultants, and there was only going to be one race that I would do to make my return to competitive racing and this was the 2025 Great Birmingham Run. This was my mum's hometown half marathon and the one race that my mum wanted me to do, unfortunately my mum wasn't here to see me complete it but I did it in her memory raising money for Cancer Research UK. I laced up my running shoes on the 4th May 2025 and conquered the Great Birmingham Run. I not only conquered it but I secured a new Personal Best with a time of 1:46:39.
In February 2025, I created a social media channel called DPRunningJournals which follows my journey through running but along the way I also speak to inspirational people and runners alike about their journey and stories.
In 2026 I have set myself a new challenge, this year (in June) I turn 30 years old, a birthday I know my mum would have loved to be here for. In her memory I have created my Year Long Challenge known as 'Daves 30KM Every Month in 2026 for Cancer Research UK Challenge' where I am aiming to complete AT LEAST 30KM of activity each month (this is a combination of running, cycling and walking). I have already a few half marathons lined up in 2026 as well as this year-long challenge. Money raised from this year's challenge will go to Cancer Research UK in memory of my mum.
But I am not stopping there, in 2027 I am aiming to compete in my FIRST EVER Marathon and my FIRST EVER Hyrox event, with the hopes in 2028 to then compete in a ULTRA Marathon distance.
At the 2026 edition of the National Running Show, I interviewed brand and companies over the course of the two days and these can be found on my social media channels.
I am honoured and privileged to be named one of the Ambassadors of the National Running Show and I know this is an achievement that my mum would be proud of.
I would like to thank the National Running Show in their support for my return to running, and to all my friends, my family and my supporters for your continuous support.
Want to find out more about DPRunningJournals?
Just search 'DPRunningJournals' on TikTok / Youtube / Instagram / Facebook"